After six games in the Premier League, Newcastle United boast a decent record of three victories and three losses, putting them in the top-half of the table as we edge towards the end of September- and it’s clear the season really is in full swing now.
Victories over West Ham, Swansea City and Stoke, three established Premier League clubs, shows Rafael Benitez’ side are capable of pulling their weight in the Premier League and their home record, where the only defeat has been the 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day, will be crucial to the side’s aims this season.
However two of their losses, away from home against Huddersfield and Brighton, will both be seen as games where the Magpies could have added further points to the board and the fact that Benitez’ side took zero points from what could be seen as some of the easiest away trips this season is a concern.
With the next three games on the road seeing Newcastle travel to Southampton, Burnley and Manchester United, the Magpies certainly need to show improvements away from home- especially as they face a difficult clash with Liverpool at St. James’ Park this weekend.
Whilst the away form may be frustrating, it’s crucial that Newcastle take things slowly this season and Benitez’ aim of achieving 40 points and remaining in the Premier League is the perfect target- thus allowing the Tyneside giants to slowly rebuild their stature.
Newcastle face a battle to turn things around following a difficult few years and success will not come overnight, which means the Magpies need to look towards the likes of Southampton as the ideal passage to build a platform of success.
Southampton have succeeded with an approach of buy low and sell very high, which Newcastle need to copy due to Mike Ashley’s reluctance to put cash in the hand of his manager- which inevitably means that some key-players will be sold on.
That means Benitez’ recruitment needs to be spot on in the coming years and there is little room for failure, which shows that consistency in the Premier League needs to be achieved. However, nine points from six games means the Magpies are a quarter of the way towards their goal.
The most difficult spells are likely to be around Christmas and the New Year, where fixtures come thick and fast, whilst the club need to ensure they don’t have a dip towards the end of the campaign- where things will become extremely tight.
